Draco1962

It is essential that your ROM versions match your version of MAME. If you have been upgrading MAME and just adding new ROMS here and there, it is very possible that incompatiblity has crept in. Per the log you are currently using MAME 0.207. The current version of MAME is 0.271. Most times an older version ROM will work with no issues, but then won't in a latter version as new parameters are discovered and implemented. The following response to a question about forward compatibility illustrates this better: https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,106212.msg1125776.html?PHPSESSID=0abgq5d3ci117rqks9qpmdvndp#msg1125776

But wait! You have no idea what Windows Hell awaits with 24H2!

The following reserved characters should not be used as they are reserved by the OS: < (less than) > (greater than) : (colon) " (double quote) / (forward slash) \ (backslash) | (vertical bar or pipe) ? (question mark) * (asterisk) & (ampersand) should probably be avoided as well as % (percent). Spaces, while not verboten, can be problematic from a naming perspective if you have a ROM filename with an extra space that is hard to be seen and your media does not have an extra space in the same place. Definitely try again with " surrounding your [ROMPath]\{ROMFile] replacing the instances of Command=cmd.exe /c [ROMPath]\[ROMFile] with Command=cmd.exe /c "[ROMPath]\[ROMFile]" as Tom has suggested. Test and provide updated gameex.ini, log.txt, and runitgame.bat files. Thanks!

If there's an issue with a current version it is always best to try to triage it for a fix. The further away you get relying upon an older version the less likely you may be likely to get support, and the more likely other functionality will breakdown as future OS updates are installed.

One thing to make sure of is that you are running the latest manufacturers driver update for your GPU in addition to the latest versions of the software following major Windows updates.

Ok, I am a little confused. In the file name examples you are indicating that none of the filenames listed with or without the ( ) in the filenames. Good info here and more for file naming conventions - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/fileio/naming-a-file Yes, Tom will need to confirm whether or not GameEx has additional character restrictions. It is not uncommon for apps to have additional restrictions. If that is the case, you may have some renaming in your future. Not what you may want to here but may be what you have to do.

When it happens can you confirm whether or not the games - testing both .au3 and .bat - are actually launching but not displaying? It will require ALT-TAB after launch attempt. Thanks

Would this warrant a separate thread in the General subforum if @Helshaks is having a problem with the requisite pinballx.ini is log.txt files attached?

@Tom Speirs if you are referring to the link for the table it is restored in the original post and here: https://vpuniverse.com/files/file/22258-gorillaz/ My apologies for the confusion as tables used to be verboten.

Please attach the pinballx.ini and log.txt files separately. Thank you.

So all good now? We gotsa know!

Per the change log, v2.65 is the latest yet the actual version available for download is v2.67: @Endaar - would you mind attaching (no copy & paste please) a copy of the CPWizard.log file? It may provide a clue as to the error condition you are describing for v2.67.

Not sure if it is relevant to your issue, but did you remember to install the latest LAV codecs?

I have tested further using a batch file to open Notepad++ to launch via the same emulator slot. Results: All files, either as .bat or .lnk pointing to the batch file with or without parentheses in the file name launched in the background only. Gamepad stopped funtioning so had to navigate with keyboard. Shortcuts directly to the Notepad++.exe, with or without parentheses in the filename, launched in the foreground and returned to GameEx Arcade Edition with no impacts to gamepad functionality.

UPDATE: Within GameEx Arcade Edition v18.84 and using one of my emulator slots and direct launching games using a shortcut or file with .lnk as the extension, I changed the filename to include parentheses. I was not able to replicate the error reported. Other than available options displayed, AE should be the same as regular GameEx. Excerpt from log.txt file after launching Microsoft Flight (Simulator X).lnk from Emulator 5: Flight Sims: 16:52:48.75 11/17/2024: Running: cmd.exe /c E: E:\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\fsx.exe @Tom Speirs will need to chime in with additional steps to triage or advise if there are limitations to launching files with () in the file names for Autoit Scripts (.au3) or batch (.bat) files. Attached are my gameex.ini and log.txt files GameEx.ini log.txt

I hope to test a hypothesis regarding this when a game is direct launched via GameEx emulator slot (e.g. via .bat, .lnk, or .au3 files) vs. launched via emulator through GameEx (e.g. MAME, DAPHNE, etc.). If my assumptions are correct and based upon the issue as reported this should only impact the former while emulator should be unaffected and launch properly when the ROM has parentheses in the filename.

Thanks for the answers regarding. I don't leverage Autoit scripts, preferring to, when I do, compile them into .exe files and created shortcuts (.lnk) for launching. I have not used .bat files for a long time. As an aside, it would be interesting to see if .lnk (shortcut) files with parentheses in the filename are similarly impacted. I will try to test that soon.

Are you leveraging the internal DAPHNE support or staged as a separate emulator (emulator 1 Laser Disc Games using .au3) when the error occurs? Or does it happen with both? My guess is with just the ones you are launching with Autoit scripts.

Let's narrow this down a little with a two-part question: Is it only the batch files with parentheses in the file names that are not launching via GameEx or is it ALL with parentheses whether launched via emulator or integrated emulator support (e.g., MAME)?

Yikes! Another few questions then - Has this ever worked for you with GameEx? If so, do you recall when it stopped? What is the purpose of launching game or ROM files via batch files? Would you mind attaching copies of your gameex.ini and log.txt files from right after launching one of the affected batch files? Thanks.

While @Tom Speirs will need to address if changing is possible, it may be hard-coded. What is the purpose of using the ( ) vs. [ ] ? If [ ] is a working solution then that is what I would opt for and call it a day.

Maybe the DOF fourms at VPUniverse? Looks like a rewrite of the tool is underway per this announcement: https://vpuniverse.com/news/articles/beta-help-test-the-new-dof-config-tool-r30/ DOF forums here: https://vpuniverse.com/forums/forum/118-direct-output-framework/

I look forward to what you come up with. You could possibly keep your existing GPU initially as prices still tend to be a bit excessive and still play quite well.

Why would GameExtender Viewer launch if disabled on the gameex.ini?

Nice looking setup! What kind of displays do you have? AM I correct that you are not looking at a full gut and just replacing the PC components (CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage)? My most recent build was by CyberPowerPC but I added to it with additional drives and accessories. See here: The motherboard, CPU, and GPU are all solid. I suggest at least an 1TB M.2 or SSD for OS and apps (PinballX, Steam, VPX) Leverage a 2TB SSD or greater or use your SATA drive. This would be for FX and FX3, VPX, and PinballX tables and media.